ORLANDO, Fla. (April 17, 2013) - The University of Central Florida's Police Department keeps the university community safe both day and night. When the UCF PD's requests for K-9 searches became more than they could handle, they knew they would need help raising the money for a new dog. When they approached local businesses, FAIRWINDS decided to lend a paw.

Major Randall Mingo of the UCF PD said, "The university growth both in population and physical buildings has placed increased calls for service on the UCF Police Department. Many of the calls for service involve suspicious packages and threats involving community safety, much too often requiring the use of K-9s in reactive and proactive searches. The lack of available K-9s to meet demands is a community concern and, with your assistance, a community solution."

Since approached by the UCF PD, FAIRWINDS Credit Union has raised more than $2,000 for the UCF PD. FAIRWINDS' ongoing efforts to fundraise for the UCF PD will help purchase, train, and retrofit a vehicle for a new K-9. The dog will help keep the campus community safe by detecting explosives and tracking missing persons and suspects.

On Wednesday, March 27, the FAIRWINDS UCF branch hosted K-9s and Croissants, a fundraising breakfast benefiting the UCF PD. For a donation of only $5, guests enjoyed a delicious breakfast and interacted with the officers and their pawsome pals. The event raised more than $600 for the UCF PD. FAIRWINDS has also raised money through online donations, a crewmember jeans day, a $500 donation on behalf of FAIRWINDS, and "pawprints" in local branches, which members decorate after making a donation. And it's not too late to give! FAIRWINDS encourages all community members to stop by a branch and make a donation to the UCF PD.

"The opportunity to help support the men, women and K-9s that protect our community every day is a privilege," said Kate Renner, FAIRWINDS' Vice President of Marketing, "We're glad to be able to do our small part."

FAIRWINDS Credit Union is the largest locally-owned and operated financial institution in Central Florida with over 155,000 members and more than $1.6 billion in assets. Headed by President/CEO Larry Tobin, FAIRWINDS is a full-service financial institution serving the needs of consumer and business members with customized solutions and local decision-making.